Five Ten Savant Trail Shoe Review

The Savant from Five Ten is a multi-purpose shoe that’s built like a sneaker, but it has the performance qualities of an approach shoe.

By Dan Sanchez

The line between a sneaker and an approach shoe are blurred when it comes to Five Ten’s Savant. Built like a sneaker, the Savant features synthetic and mesh uppers that keep the shoe lightweight and breathable. The webbed lacing and low, ankle cut add comfort and a snug fit. We especially liked the top metal lashes on the shoe that work well to keep the laces from slipping loose.

The combination with the company’s Stealth Rubber outsoles really gives the shoe its added agility and versatility. As a hiking shoe, the Savant was comfortable and didn’t require much break in before we took it out on a four-mile hike. As a hiking shoe, it’s definitely light weight, weighing in at only 15.5 ounces. By comparison, most low-cut hiking shoes weigh more than one pound, while lightweight trail running shoes are about 10-12 ounces.

Scrambling up cracks in sandstone walls is easy with the Savant's Stealth Rubber outsoles.

The Savant’s light weight actually kept us feeling less fatigued during longer hikes and worked well during some short fast-paced hiking across a variety of terrain.

During some light scrambling, the multi-directional lugs and Stealth Rubber compound give you the confidence to shift your weight onto your foot, and trust that the shoes will grip. While there’s lots of support and stiffness where you need it, the shoes are flexible enough to bend into a foot-hold and plant as much of the outsole as possible onto the rock.

Free Runners may also like the Savant’s light weight, flexibility and sticky outsoles. We also liked that there’s rubber and protection over the front toe of the shoe, as well as partially up the back heel. Attributed to Five Ten’s rock climbing heritage, it allows you to slip the shoe into a crack and gain traction when you need it.

We also liked that the Savant has two finger pulls, the traditional one above the heel and another closer to the outside ankle. This helps you gain a better grip to put the shoes on when you only have one hand free.

The Five Ten Savant retails under $100 and comes in a Whiskey Brown/Light Green color. We think it’s a great looking shoe and would be perfect for those people who don’t like the bulky look of a hiking shoe, but realize they need something with more support and grip.